Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Management of Adamawa Polytechnic,Yola, has confirmed the accreditation and approval of seven new courses in the institute by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Rector of the Institution Prof. Bobboi Umar told newsmen in Yola that the development was first of its kind in the history of the institution.
Umar said, “ the institution is able to record a remarkable achievement where about seven new courses were accredited by the NBTE.”
He explained that, the accredited programmes include mass communication, social development, business administration and four engineering courses.
Benue
The Business Manager of PHCN in Makurdi, Benue, Mr John Emeruwa, has attributed the current power outage in Makurdi to ongoing power lines upgrade in the state.
Emeruwa disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi.
Emeruwa said the 132 KV lines that linked Benue with Enugu were no longer adequate for the increasing number of customers and the demand for power supply in the area.
He said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had been mandated to improve power supply to Benue by evacuating more power from the national grade to Benue.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has re-assured the people that the relationship between him and his deputy, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, was “cordial and progressive”.
Shettima was reacting to speculations of a rift between him and his deputy as well as his predecessor, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, in Maiduguri.
Reports also indicated that the governor was in the process of carrying out a cabinet reshuffle following a rift between him, his deputy and Sheriff.
But Shettima said while receiving a delegation of the Southern Borno ANPP Forum in Maiduguri that the reports were unfounded.
FCT
Assistant Director of Administration, Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Mr Adamu Bigari, Abuja, has decried the neglect of indigenous languages in the country.
Bigari told newsmen that foreign language was eroding the country’s indigenous languages.
He said as the world marked the International Day for Mother Tongue, there was a need to promote indigenous languages to sustain “our culture”.
Bigari blamed the decline in the use of mother tongue on both parents and policy makers, adding that more attention was paid to foreign languages to the detriment of local ones.
Gombe
The Federal Government is to execute N2 billion worth of projects at the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kabir Farouk, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at Kashere, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State recently.
Farouk said that the amount was the grant approved by the Federal Government last year to each of the nine universities to develop their main campuses.
According to him, the projects comprised the Senate building, Library, Information, Communication and Technology centre and two faculty buildings, which locations have been decided based on the university’s master plan.
Jigawa
The Federal Government has distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser to Jigawa dry season farmers to boost rice production in the state, according to the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).
The Chairman of the association, Malam Adamu Haruna, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Hadejia recently.
Haruna said that each member of the association received three bags of the commodity at the rate of N2,750 per bag as against N5,000 per bag in the open market.
He said that the Federal Government had given 50 per cent subsidy, while farmers paid the remaining 50 per cent.
He said that the brand of the assorted fertiliser distributed to the farmers included
Kaduna
The Zaria water project has reached 78 per cent completion and will be completed and commissioned by 2013, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Sunday Marshall, has said.
Marshall, who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, said that the state government had spent N14.7 billion so far on the project.
He said that the project was awarded at the cost of N15.7 billion in January 2009 and that the cost had been reviewed to N24.6 billion.
In a separate interview, the Project Manager, Mr Yusuf Kobo, told newsmen that the water supply project was being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government
Kobo said that when completed, the project would provide potable water to 2.2 million people in 23 communities across eight local government areas of the state.
Katsina
The District Head of Kafur in Katsina State, Alhaji Rabe Abdullahi, has called for increased public awareness to boost participation in environmental sanitation activities.
Rabe, who is also the Dangaladiman Katsina, made the call at the inauguration of local government sanitation committee members saddled with the task of ensuring proper conduct of the re-introduced monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
Represented by his son, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rabe, the traditional ruler said public awareness on the importance of the exercise could be achieved through the media and community town criers.
He gave an assurance of the traditional rulers’ support for the success of the exercise and pledged to mobilise wards and community leaders to achieve the goal.
Lagos
The police in Lagos have arraigned two men, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N290,000, and told her that she would die if she disclosed the crime.
Ugiagbe Osamuyimin, 48, and Bernard Obukene, 34, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
They allegedly defrauded a nursing mother, Mrs Kehinde Agbana, at 1:00 p.m.on February 7, at the Lekki Beach area of Lagos State.
Osamuyimin, who claimed to be a herbalist, resides at the Lekki Beach, while Obukene, who claims to be a builder, resides on Badore Kekere St., Ajah, Lagos.
The prosecutor, ASP Augustine Orji said: “They led their victim into believing that they would supply her with clothes, but ended up collecting her phone and ATM card and withdrawing the above mentioned amount from her bank account.Ogun
Ogun
Wife of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs HID Awolowo,Mrs HID Awolowo, has appealed to the people of South-West to be united ahead of 2015 elections.
Awolowo made the appeal during her welcome address at the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) meeting held at Awolowo residence in Ikenne-Remo,Ogun.
She said that there was need for Yorubas to come together as one before 2015 so as to know the direction to go.
“Time is now for the Yoruba nation to come together as one for us to take our rightful place in the country.
Awolowo also urged the Yorubas to be patient with one other, adding that Yoruba nation must rise again.
She stressed that the YUF committee was working toward uniting the Yorubas before 2015.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has announced that it had approved the establishment of an Information Communication Technology Agency to boost computer literacy.
“The EXCO has approved the formation of the agency with desk offices in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Mr Abraham Yiljap, the Information and Communication Commissioner, told newsmen in Jos.
“We want to be sure that assets acquired by various administrations are documented electronically for easy assessment.
“Government wants a proper inventory of its assets; we don’t want a situation where successive governments will not know what belongs to government and how to access it.’’
Zamfara
The Federal Government has released N158.3 million for the promotion of safe mining practice among artisanal miners in Zamfara State, according to an official.
The Director, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Obiora Azubuike, announced this in Gusua at a news briefing.
Azubuike said money was part of the N850 million released by the Federal Government to control lead poisoning in mining communities in the state.
He said that the government had also mapped out a programme to control lead poisoning in Zamfara.
He said the programme included environmental remediation of Bagega village, treatment of victims of lead poisoning and promotion of safe mining practice.
Azubuike, who is also the Chairman, Technical Committee on the Promotion of Safe Mining, said that the programme would involve the formalisation of mining activities across the state.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi